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Cyberbullying needs strong response

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When I was in high school being tormented on America Online, the term
cyberbullying had just been coined, and escaping my tormenters was as simple as signing out or switching my screen name. Since then, social-networking sites have become ubiquitous, and advancements in mobile devices have made it nearly impossible for victims of bullying to avoid their aggressors.

The term
cyberbullicide has now arisen: suicides influ-
enced by experiences with online aggression. These tragedies are occurring more frequently all over the world.

They leave students, teachers, parents and pediatricians like myself asking, “What can we do to prevent them?” The answer to this question is: “A lot.”

School districts across the country are taking matters into their own hands. They are implementing several new curricula aimed at showing students and teachers how to prevent and cope with bullying.

While these programs are a step in the right direction, much of the damage is done outside school zones.

Preventing cyberbullicide often is left to a concerned parent, friend or doctor to intervene before it is too late.

A great website providing up-to-date research, news and blogs for anyone interested or concerned is www.cyberbullying.us.

Remember, no one is immune to the effects of bullying. Victims of cyberbullicide have ranged from the silent, moody type to the outgoing, popular teens. If adults are concerned about a child’s change in behavior or if she has voiced thoughts of suicide, it is imperative that they seek help.

As a former victim of cyberbullying and now a pediatric resident, I believe that preventing cyberbullicide can be as simple as recognizing the signs of depression, addressing the issue quickly and directly and providing a strong social support system.